Geometric Vaults

by Auke Hoekstra

In the photograph, you are looking up from below at an impressive, large-scale steel sculpture and architectural installation.

Specifically, you can see the following:

Structure and geometry: The work consists of towering plates and curved arches made of Corten steel (or weathered steel). The plates intersect and overlap in arithmetic, geometric shapes and arches. Open roof structure: At the top, a sort of dome or grid is formed where the steel arches converge. The open roof allows direct daylight (the sky and clouds) to pass through.

Play of light and shadow: The sun’s rays create sharp contrasts and dynamic patterns of light and shadow on the steel walls.

Atmosphere: The photograph is taken in black and white, which emphasises the industrial, abstract and spatial character of the work.

Background to the artwork
This is the famous artwork ‘ 'Labyrint' ’, designed by the Belgian art and architecture duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh (Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh). It is situated on the square at C-mine in Genk (Belgium).

The work is a 5-metre-high steel maze with 1 kilometre of passageways, in which large geometric shapes (such as arches, spheres and cylinders) are cut out of the steel walls in various places 'uitgesneden' to create unique vistas and open spaces.